LM203 - Launch Strong: 10 Keys to Onboarding Audiology Externs for Success

Thursday, April 23, 2026

8:15 AM - 9:15 AM CST

Location: Room 220

Earn 0.1 CEUs

Instructional Level: Fundamental

Lead Presenter(s)

Stacy O'Brien, AuD (she/her/hers)

Founder/Audiologist
Eartrainment LLC
Ponce Inlet, Florida

Disclosure(s): No financial or nonfinancial relationships to disclose

PDF Slides

Presenter(s)

Catherine V. Palmer, PhD

Professor
University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Disclosure(s): No financial or nonfinancial relationships to disclose.
Kaylee Smith, AuD (she/her/hers)

Vestibular Audiologist
Henry Ford Health System
Detroit, Michigan

Disclosure(s): No financial or nonfinancial relationships to disclose.
Deborah L. Carlson, PhD

Audiology Consultant
Self-employed
Houston, Texas

Disclosure(s): Financial - ETS Lindgren: Speaker/Honoraria (Ongoing); PhotoniCare: Consultant (Ongoing), Consultant/Advisory Board (Ongoing); Nonfinancial - Chair of Writing group for guideline on AAA Adult Hearing Assessment; ASHA Healthcare Economics Committee; Audiology Quality Consortium member
RK

Rachel Kansky, AuD

Clinical Audiologist
Miami VA Healthcare Center, Florida

Disclosure(s): No financial or nonfinancial relationships to disclose.
BM

Braidyn Milner

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Disclosure(s): No financial or nonfinancial relationships to disclose.

Abstract: This session, developed by the Audiology Clinical Education Network (ACEN), provides ten evidence-based strategies to help clinics effectively onboard, mentor, and evaluate externs. Attendees will learn how to establish clear expectations, use digital tools for organization, provide structured feedback, track competencies, and foster team integration. With ready-to-use templates and checklists, this presentation equips clinical sites to streamline supervision, improve extern performance, and strengthen relationships with university programs, ultimately preparing confident, competent future audiologists while advancing ACEN’s mission to elevate clinical education nationwide.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this session, the participant will be able to implement a structured, step-by-step onboarding process using ACEN�s ten key strategies to improve extern engagement, confidence, and clinical performance.
Upon completion of this session, the participant will be able to utilize standardized tools, such as competency rubrics, feedback templates, and onboarding checklists, to streamline supervision and ensure consistent evaluation of extern progress.
Upon completion, participants will be able to develop strategies to strengthen collaboration between clinical sites and university programs by aligning expectations, communication, and mentorship throughout the externship experience.